Child Care

I had chosen to do child care for my placement. I was put in a community center that cares for children about 2 years of age. My role as I understood it at the start would be to help care for them, and speak English so they can hear it and grasp the language. These were the children of the local families, many of who ran tiny shops along the strip. When I would walk around town I would see them and the kids and the other women who worked at the center. It felt like a community and everyone was kind and welcoming.

I was told that Suzie would take me to my placement. I had not met Suzie yet. Suzie and I walked to the child care center and I learned that she had been in Bir for 2 months already and was staying another 3 before she went on to a European tour and then back home to Australia. She had also been in Bir for many months the year before so her knowledge of the Tibetians, the town, and the culture was extensive. I was able to asks her tons of questions and she never tired of me. I would say that most of what I know about Bir and how it opperates comes from her.

The children were amazing, the two caretakers, Bhasu and Kalsang were friendly and loving. They didn't speak much English and neither did the children, but kids are kids, and the just want to play so the lack of English wasn't a problem. There was another women who lived next door and would come over and hang out. Sometimes she would translate what the children were saying. As with all children it was easy to fall in love with them within minutes and I looked forward to going there daily. My face literally hurt by the end of the day from the smiles the kids and the simple life I was given an opportunity to experience. To learn unattachment from a new perspective.

Now I know you are looking at the pics and think, my god thats bleak. I get it. And I thought the same thing when I walked in on that first day. Truth is, we could build them a fancy kitchen or give them more toys, or whatever your perspective is imposing on what they "need." But trust me when I say this, they don't feel the same way. They have everything they need. They just have a different way doing things. Were some of their methods contradictory to my own beliefs? Of course. Were there moments I would have done things different? Of course. Was I there to teach them a "better way" do do things? Hell no. My way isn't the only way, your way isn't the only way. And this is the way they do things and I respect it. No child was being hurt, no child was in danger, and all of those children were healthy, happy, and loved.

So as you see the pictures of the care center don't feel sad. These women are proud of what they have created. They are proud of their role in the community. They are thankful their jobs provide for their families. The parents come in smiling and thankful their children are being socialized in a safe loving environment. These are all things we want for our children, it just looks different.

I had a deep conversion with Suzie about where the money that you amazing people donated should be given. I asked her given her deep knowledge of the town and its needs where she felt the money would be put to the best use. She thought on it for a few days and took it very seriously. She felt that the monastery would be best place to donate the money. She knew that the monks would use it for the education of the the children who had no families in Bir because they we stuck in China. She set up a meeting for me to give the donation and it was appreciated and I felt confident that it will do good for the children that need it most. Thank you to all of you for giving me a chance to give to people that deserve a chance to move forward and build a life where their culture is valued and continued. Their exile from China is a human rights issue that deserves awareness and support. All of you became a part of the aid to ensure the Tibetan culture continues and I thank you for supporting a cause I believe deeply in.